Caitlin McNeily

My passion for yoga and a healthy lifestyle started almost 20 years ago when I fell in love with a local Chicago studio.  It was a husband and wife team who were formally trained in Bikram style yoga and Baptiste power Vinyasa yoga.  I was born and raised in Chicago and was involved in athletics through high school playing a variety of sports.  I often found that I would get burned out after a few months focused on the same type of exercise.  I have never experienced this burnout with yoga.  In our busy world, yoga is an opportunity to slow down, be fully present, sweat, breathe, and grow.  

I decided after 5 years of a dedicated practice to explore teacher training opportunities near me.  I found an intensive 8 week program at Core Power Yoga in the South Loop of Chicago.  I immersed myself in their program and in my practice and earned a 200 hour certification.  I continued on with a mentor after that time in what was called "extensions".  My mentor was Margo Kellison (now Margo Lightburn).  I worked with her for 6 months and began teaching at her Chicago studio, Vessel.  Here I taught Vinyasa, Yin, and Prenatal classes.  I later earned another certification through Core Power Yoga in their HPF style series.  I taught this style and their Vinyasa style through Core Power for several years.

I have taught in several suburban studios and gyms over the years.  My most rewarding feedback to date has been a woman I see often practicing at the studio where I practice, and every time she sees me, she tells me my class was always her favorite, and she found yoga because of me.  I first met her in a class 8 years ago when I was expecting my second child.

I currently live in the suburbs of Chicago with my husband, 3 kids, and chocolate lab.  I run a women's health business as my full time job, which feeds me professionally and personally.  I love to cook, exercise, spend time with my family and friends, and I am excited for the opportunity to travel and teach yoga.